Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog

Do I need to spend down my assets in order to qualify for Medi-Cal benefits?

Medi-Cal is a federal and California state program that helps families to pay the costs of long term nursing care. With rising healthcare costs, the average family can simply not afford to pay for nursing home care when a loved one reaches the point that he or she needs around the clock care. Unfortunately, many myths surround the Medi-Cal program which may lead some individuals to not apply and others to spend their savings before seeking benefits.

Making the decision to place a loved one in a dementia care facility is an emotional and difficult process. Choosing the right facility for a dementia patient is one of the top priorities for many families. Because the process can be overwhelming, it helps to have an advocate on your side who understands the process and who has experience dealing with long-term care for dementia patients.

Our California wills and trust attorneys utilizes a variety of estate planning documents to meet the needs and goals of our clients. You may recognize some of the documents we use in an estate plan, such as a will, health care directive, or a power of attorney.
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Can I leave money to my pet in my will?

Over half of all American households own a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association.  For pet owners, pets comprise an integral part of the family. As members of the family, many of us want to ensure our pets are cared for after our death.  Including your pet in your estate plan can be a complicated matter, as in most states it is not an option to simply will assets to your pet. With the help of an experienced California estate planning attorney, you can rest assured that your pet will be well cared for in the event of your death.
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While guardians and conservators have similar roles and duties, they fulfill different functions. For example, both individuals will significantly limit the ability for their “ward” to make decisions regarding various aspects of their life. While it is wise to plan ahead for avoiding conservatorship, when faced with this decision, it is a good idea to speak with a California estate planning lawyer.

Fewer than half of all Americans have an estate plan in place.  Estate planning is a topic that all too often gets pushed to the backburner until it is too late.  There are several major advantages to having an estate plan in California. Our San Ramon estate planning attorneys at Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning, Inc. discuss how your family can benefit from having an estate plan below.

Although it is sometimes overlooked, a life insurance plan is a valuable piece of your estate plan. In fact, it is one of the most common financial products in the United States. Its benefits are easy to understand, but the administration of life insurance funds is less straightforward. A California estate planning attorney will tell you that life insurance proceeds are extremely valuable to a family that has just lost a loved one, but they can also be cumbersome if not managed properly.

7 Tips for Choosing a Trustee

So, you are setting up a living trust. You know what assets you want to put into the trust and who you want to give them to one day. You have worked out a strategy to reward your beneficiaries for things like getting a college degree. You have mapped out your financial future and provided for your loved ones. But you still need to name the person who will manage your trust and distribute your assets after you die, and possibly handle your financial affairs during your lifetime.

You are doing the adult thing and looking out for your loved ones. You bought life insurance and checked the beneficiaries on your retirement account, and now you are debating whether you should update that simple form will you made years ago or get a living trust.  You are comfortable with your understanding of a will, but not so much about trusts. Since the laws are different in every state, reading some generic online article will not tell you about

What is a durable power of attorney?

A durable power of attorney (POA) allows you to appoint a trusted loved one to make vital health and financial decisions in the event you are ever incapacitated.  All thorough estate plans should include two or more power of attorneys to ensure their health and finances are protected no matter what the future holds.  Without these important documents in place, the court may be forced to order a Conservator to be your decision maker.  A conservatorship is expensive and there are no guarantees the court will appoint someone whom you would select.  You

The Veterans Administration (VA) offers several benefits for disabled veterans. One of these programs is Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI). Unlike standard life insurance, which prefers to cover people who are in perfect health, the S-DVI program is only for people with disabilities. Veterans who might have a hard time obtaining conventional life insurance can get a small amount of coverage through this program.